Mamdani Under Investigation By The Senate

A U.S. Senate committee has launched an oversight investigation into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani following his decision to rescind two executive orders from the prior administration addressing antisemitism and participation in the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against Israel, setting up an early confrontation between the new mayor and federal lawmakers.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, announced the probe on Thursday, February 5, 2026. In a letter sent to Zohran Mamdani a day earlier, Cassidy said he had “serious concerns” that the mayor’s actions could embolden antisemitism and place Jewish New Yorkers at risk.

The executive orders were issued under former Mayor Eric Adams. One, signed in June 2025, adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism for use in city policy. The other, issued in December 2025, barred city officials and agencies from engaging in or supporting BDS activities targeting Israel.

Mamdani, a democratic socialist who took office on January 1, 2026, revoked a series of Adams-era executive orders on his first day in office, The Daily Caller noted, including the two at issue, as part of a broader review of existing directives.

In his letter, Cassidy underscored New York City’s sizable Jewish population, describing it as the largest outside Israel, with roughly 1.77 million Jewish residents—about 9.1% of the state’s total population. He argued that strong anti-antisemitism measures are essential to the safety of Jewish residents, particularly students.

The senator also pointed to the New York City Department of Education’s dependence on federal funding, noting that as of June 2025 its operating budget included $2.2 billion in federal funds. Cassidy warned that continued access to that money is contingent on compliance with federal civil rights laws and executive orders designed to protect students. He cautioned that abandoning the IHRA definition could place the city out of alignment with federal policy, including Executive Order 13899, issued during President Trump’s first term, and its reaffirmation in Executive Order 14188, which instruct federal agencies such as the Department of Education to consider the IHRA definition when enforcing Title VI civil rights protections.

“It is my job to ensure every student feels safe, and at a time when Jewish students feel scared, I am concerned your actions will only exacerbate their fears,” Cassidy wrote.

Cassidy requested written responses from the mayor by February 19, 2026, seeking clarification on how revoking the executive orders protects Jewish students, whether the city intends to adopt a new definition of antisemitism, what steps the administration plans to take to combat antisemitism in schools, and whether city officials consulted federal agencies about potential funding risks.

In a statement, Cassidy emphasized that oversight applies regardless of political ideology. “Whatever somebody’s ideological background, if they’re in a position of responsibility, they must protect their citizens,” he wrote, adding, “Clearly, antisemitism has been on the rise. We must respond to real dangers directed at Jewish students.”

Mamdani’s office has yet to respond to the investigation. The mayor has previously faced criticism for his positions on Israel, including past reluctance to unequivocally denounce phrases such as “globalize the intifada,” which critics say can be interpreted as inciting violence against Jews.

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